Widowhood

18 year old widow from Enugu (Nwadinobi 20)

             
A widow is a woman who has lost their spouse. A man who has lost his spouse is a widower. The state of having lost a spouse is often referred to as widowhood. The treatment of widows varies around the world,but in general, they receive unequal benefits and are seen as inferior to their male counterparts. 

Throughout the world, young girls look forward to the day they meet their prince. Nigeria is no exception. Unfortunately, they never expect to encounter the horror of widowhood. "In Nigeria, and in particular in the South-East, the widow not only suffers the grief of her loss but in addition she suffers the pain of harmful traditional mourning rites" (Nwadinobi 4).

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